Research assistant

The Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, SGN) was founded in 1817 and is one of the most important research institutions around biological diversity. At its twelve sites throughout Germany, scientists from over 40 nations conduct cutting-edge research on an international scale. At the site in Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironmant (SHEP) is located in a lively university town with historical flair and numerous local recreational opportunities.

The Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (SHEP) at the University of Tübingen is seeking a motivated PhD candidate for the Paleontology working group:

PhD Candidate / Research Assistant (f/m/d)

Turtle Neuroanatomy & Evolutionary Morphology

(part time, 65%, 26 weekly working hours)   We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Research Assistant (f/m/d) to contribute to a research project focused on the neuroanatomy and eco-morphological evolution of turtles, integrating fossil and extant data.   Your tasks

• Conduct scientific research on the neuroanatomy of turtles, including both fossil and extant taxa
• Perform collection visits to study and document fossil turtle specimens
• Process and analyze digital CT datasets of cranial and neurological structures
• Carry out geometric morphometric analyses to study shape variation
• Conduct eco-morphological and phylogenetic comparative analyses using R or Python
• Present research findings at scientific meetings and symposia
• Prepare and contribute to the publication of results in peer-reviewed journals   Your profile
• Completed university degree (Master’s) in biology, geosciences or related areas
• Experience in morphology, neuroanatomy, and paleontology of turtles is desired
• Expertise in the analysis of digital CT scan data is desired
• Familiarity with analytical tools such as R or Python for statistical and phylogenetic comparative analyses
• Experience with scientific writing and publishing in peer-reviewed journals is desired
• Ability to work reliably and collaboratively in a scientific research setting
• Strong command of spoken and written English; German language skills are a plus. 

We offer

• Involvement in a cutting-edge research project within a highly interdisciplinary and international team and a supportive research environment
• Access to state-of-the-art imaging and analytical facilities
• Opportunities for scientific networking and professional development
• flexible working conditions – possibility of mobile working – support with childcare or caring for family members (certified by the "audit berufundfamilie") – Senckenberg badge in combination with free admission to numerous municipal museums – a collectively agreed annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement – company pension plan   Place of employment:          Tübingen (Baden-Württemberg)

Working hours:                        part-time (approx. 26 hours/week)

Type of contract:                    3 years, ideally starting 1st October 2025

Payment:                                  according to the public collective agreement TV-L E13   Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff and welcome every application from qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Applicants with a severe disability will be given special consideration in case of equal suitability. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and places great emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture.   You would like to be part of our team?

Please submit your complete a meaningful application as a single PDF file

including

•  a letter of motivation,
• a CV,
• scans of academic transcripts, and contact details of two potential academic referees   Applications should be submitted electronically no later than the 22nd of June 2025 and be addressed to recruiting@senckenberg.de quoting the reference number #10-25005.

For data protection information on the processing of personal data as part of the application and selection process, please refer to the privacy policy on our homepage at https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/.

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt a.M.

E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de

 Join our team in Tübingen and contribute to groundbreaking research at the intersection of paleontology, neuroanatomy, and evolutionary biology!

 For more information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung please go to www.senckenberg.de.

Our job advertisements are always directed at all people capable of working, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion and ideology, etc. Applicants are exclusively selected based on their qualifications. Errors in the given information and spelling reserved.